Terminal having camera and method of processing images at various focal lengths in the same

ABSTRACT

A terminal having a camera and a method of processing an image in the camera are disclosed. The method includes collecting, using a camera, a user image captured at a user focal length and a link image captured at a selective focal length, and storing the user image and the link image by linking the link image with the user image. Using this method, a user can capture a subject and circumstances around the subject when the image is captured.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/634,289 filed Dec. 9, 2009 in the U.S. Patentand Trademark Office, which claims the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2008-0125353, filed on Dec. 10, 2008, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a method ofprocessing an image captured by a camera at different focal distancesand a terminal for performing the same.

2. Description of the Background

Recently, with advances in modern science and technology, a user of aportable terminal can create and store data using various terminals andmay read and/or view the stored data as necessary. Multi-functionterminals, each capable of performing functions that were previouslyexecuted by several terminals, are now being developed. Examples ofmulti-function terminals include, for example, a computer, a mobileterminal, an MP3 player, a portable multimedia player (PMP), and adigital camera.

A digital camera may be used to capture an image. Digital cameras arebecoming increasingly smaller permitting them to be carried or to beintegrated with other small-sized apparatuses, such as a mobileterminal.

However, display of an image captured by a digital camera may berestricted in size to a display unit, such as a viewfinder, so that thecaptured image may include only a subject or a scene the user wishes tocapture. However, the user may not have information regarding thesubject and circumstances (e.g., environment, conditions) at the timethe image is captured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a terminal havinga camera and an image processing method performed therein.

Additional features of the invention will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose a method ofprocessing an image. The method includes capturing a first image at auser focal length with a camera, capturing a link image at a selectivefocal length, linking the link image with the first image; and storingthe first image and the link image.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also disclose an imageprocessing method of a mobile terminal The image processing methodincludes displaying at least one first image in an image display mode,determining, if one of the at least one first image is selected, whethera link image is linked with the selected first image, and displaying theselected first image and a link icon corresponding to the link image ifa link image is linked with the selected first image.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also disclose a mobileterminal including a camera, a storage unit, a display unit, and acontroller. The camera captures a first image at a first focal lengthand a link image at a second focal length. The storage unit stores thefirst image and the link image. The display unit displays the firstimage and the link image. The controller controls the camera to capturethe first image and the link image and links the link image with thefirst image.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also disclose a mobileterminal including a storage unit, a display unit, and a controller. Thestorage unit stores a first image and a link image linked with the firstimage. The display unit displays the first image and/or the link image.The controller controls the display unit to display the first image anda link icon corresponding to the link image linked with the first imagein an image display mode.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention, and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a terminal according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a camera employed in a terminalaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are exemplary views illustrating a screen displayingan image according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view illustrating a screen displaying an imageaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a ratio between a user image and a linkimage according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of processing an imageaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of capturing an imageaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying an imageaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an image capturing method accordingto exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of capturing an image inaccordance with a focal length according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the inventionare shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure is thorough, and will fully convey thescope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, thesize and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated forclarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

Prior to explaining exemplary embodiments of the present invention,relevant terminology will be defined for the description below.

‘Terminal’ may refer to an information processing device to processvarious data. Examples of the terminal include, for example, a computer,a lap-top computer, an MP3 player, a mobile terminal, a digital camera,and a portable multimedia player (PMP). The terminal may refer to amobile terminal and terminals including a digital camera for capturingan image.

‘Focal length’ may refer to a distance between a lens and a sensor ofthe camera. The sensor may be an image sensor. ‘Reference focal length’may refer to a focal length set to display a preview image on a displayunit before an image is captured by a camera. ‘User focal length’ mayrefer to a focal length set by a user of the terminal. ‘Minimal focallength’ may refer to a focal length set to a minimal distance between alens and an image sensor. The minimal distance may be a focal length atmaximum zoom-out. ‘Maximal focal length’ may refer to a focal length setto a maximal distance between the lens and the image sensor. The maximaldistance may be a focal length at maximum zoom-in.

‘User image’ may refer to an image captured by a camera at the userfocal length set by the user.

‘Link image’ may refer to an image linked with the image captured by acamera at the maximal or minimal focal length. The maximal or minimalfocal length may be a selective focal length selected according to theuser focal length when capturing the user image. The link image mayinclude a subject contained in the user image and information (e.g.,circumstances, environment, and conditions) associated with the subjectat the capturing of the user image. The link image may have a differentresolution than that of the user image.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a terminal according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a terminal may include a camera 110, a display unit120, a controller 130, a storage unit 140, and an input unit 150. Thestorage unit 140 may store a user image 143 and a link image 145.

The camera 110 may capture images with different focal lengths under thecontrol of the controller 130. The camera 110 may capture a user image143 at a user focal length selected by the user. The camera 110 maycapture a link image 145 at a selective focal length set in advanceaccording to the user focal length. The camera 110 is described infurther detail below with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates the camera 110 according to exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention. Referring to FIG. 2( a), the camera 110 mayinclude a lens 113, an image sensor 115, and a distance measuring sensor117. The lens 113 may be made by grinding surfaces of a transparentmaterial, such as glass, into spherical surfaces. The lens 113 maycollect information on a subject. The subject information may includelight radiated from the subject. The image sensor 115 may be a chargecoupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)to convert the subject information collected by the lens 113 intodigital image data. The distance measuring sensor 117 may measure adistance between the image sensor 115 and the subject, and may transmitthe measured distance to the controller 130. The distance measuringsensor 117 may be an ultrasonic sensor or an infrared sensor.

To capture an image, the distance measuring sensor 117 may measure adistance between the subject and the lens 113 of the camera 110, and maytransmit the measured distance to the controller 130. Then, the lens 113and the image sensor 115 of the camera 110 may be set to the referencefocal length corresponding to the measured distance under the control ofthe controller 130. When the subject information is collected throughthe lens 113, the image sensor 115 may convert the subject informationinto digital image data and may transmit the converted digital imagedata to the controller 130.

The focal length may be set by the user. The lens 113 may collect thesubject information according to the set focal length.

The subject information collected through the lens 113 may varyaccording to the focal length set in the camera 110. A relationshipbetween the focal length and the subject information can be describedusing zoom-in/out functions of the camera 110. For example, the zoom-infunction may be used to display an enlarged view of the subject. Toexecute the zoom-in function, the focal length of the lens 113 may beset close to a maximal focal length, which is the maximal distancebetween the lens 113 and the image sensor 115. The zoom-out function maydisplay a smaller view of the image including the subject, and thecircumstances and the environment associated with the subject. Toexecute the zoom-out function, the focal length may be set close to aminimal focal length, which is the minimal distance between the lens 113and the image sensor 115. As the focal length is decreased, informationcollected by the camera 110 may include information on the subject, andthe circumstances and the environment associated with the subject. Asthe focal length is increased, the camera 110 may only collectinformation on the subject.

In some cases, the camera 110, as illustrated in FIG. 2( b), may includea first lens 113 a, a second lens 113 b, a first image sensor 115 a anda second image sensor 115 b connected to the first lens 113 a and secondlens 113 b, respectively, and a distance measuring sensor 117. The imagesensors 115 a and 115 b and the distance measuring sensor 117 mayperform the same function as that of the image sensor 115 and thedistance measuring sensor 117 discussed with reference to FIG. 2( a).The first and second lenses 113 a and 113 b may perform the samefunction as that of the lens 113 discussed with reference to FIG. 2( a).

A focal length of the first lens 113 a may be set to any suitable focallength by the controller 130. The second lens 113 b may be a wide-anglelens and its focal length may be fixed to the minimal focal length.

A method of capturing an image with the camera 110 including the firstand second lenses 113 a and 113 b is described further below. Thedistance measuring sensor 117 may measure a distance between a subjectand the first lens 113 a of the camera 110, and may transmit themeasured distance to the controller 130. Then, a focal length betweenthe first lens 113 a and the first image sensor 115 a may be set by thecontroller 130 as a reference focal length based on the measureddistance. When subject information is collected through the first lens113 a, the first image sensor 115 a may convert the collected subjectinformation into digital image data. The first image sensor 115 a maytransmit the converted digital image data to the controller 130. Thesubject information may be collected simultaneously when the image iscaptured by the first lens 113 a. The second lens 113 b may be awide-angle lens. Information collected through the second lens 113 b mayinclude information, such as the environment, circumstances, andconditions associated with the subject at the time of the image captureof the subject.

The second lens 113 b of the camera 110 may be set to the minimal focallength by the controller 130 and may collect the subject informationaccording to the set minimal focal length. The subject informationcollected through the second lens 113 b may be changed according to thefocal length set in the camera 110.

Hereinafter, a camera 110 including a single lens 113 will be described(e.g., as shown in FIG. 2( a)).

The display unit 120 may display an overall state of the terminal, andinformation related to operations of the terminal The display unit 120may display a user image 143 captured by the camera 110. In an imagedisplay mode, the display unit 120, under the control of the controller130, may display at least one user image 143 in the form of, forexample, a thumbnail. The display unit 120 may display a link icon 147corresponding to a link image 145 linked with the user image 143 in thethumbnail. The user image 143 may be displayed over the link image 145.

A method of displaying a user image 143 in the display unit 120 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B areexemplary views illustrating screens on which images are displayedaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3A, in the image display mode, the display unit 120may display the user image 143 in the form of a thumbnail. When a linkimage 145 is linked with the user image 143, the display unit 120 maydisplay a thumbnail corresponding to the user image 143 to overlap athumbnail corresponding to the link image 145.

Referring to FIG. 3B, when the link image 145 and the user image 143 arecaptured, the display unit 120 may display a link icon 147 on thethumbnail corresponding to the user image 143. Although the user image143 is displayed in the thumbnail on the display unit 120, the userimage 143 may be displayed as a list displaying at least one thumbnailwith file name corresponding to the user name. Even if the user image143 is displayed as a list, the display unit 120 may display the linkimage 145 as a link icon 147 to overlap a thumbnail corresponding to thelink image 145.

When the user image 143 displayed in the form of a thumbnail or a listis selected, the display unit 120 may enlarge and display the selecteduser image 143 under the control of the controller 130. The display unit120 may display the selected user image 143 and the link icon 147 forselection of the link image 145 linked with the user image 143. Thedisplay unit 120 may display the link image 145 under the control of thecontroller 130. The display unit 120 may only display the link image 145or, in some cases, may display the user image 13 on the link image 145.

A method of displaying the link image 145 will be described withreference to FIG. 4.

The controller 130 may control the overall state and operations ofcomponents of the terminal. When capturing an image, the controller 130may estimate a reference focal length based on a distance between thecamera 110 and a subject of the image. The distance may be measured bythe camera 110. The controller 130 may set the camera 110 based on theestimated reference focal length and may display, on the display unit120, a preview image acquired by the camera 110.

Next, the controller 130 may capture the user image 143 with the camera110 according to the user focal length. The controller 130 may determinewhether the reference focal length estimated to display the previewimage is shorter than the user focal length selected by the user. If thereference focal length is shorter than the user focal length, thecontroller 130 may set the camera 110 to the minimal focal length. Thecontroller 130 may then control the camera 110 to capture the link image145 according to the minimal focal length. The controller 130 may linkthe link image 145 with the user image 143 and may store the user image143 in the storage unit 140.

When the display mode is selected, the controller 130 may instruct thedisplay unit 120 to display the user image 143 stored in the storageunit 140 in the form of a thumbnail. The display unit 120 may displaythe link icon 147 and the link image 145 on the user image 143. In somecases, the controller 130 may display the user image 143 overlapping thelink image 145 on the display unit 120.

When the user image 143 displayed in the form of a thumbnail isselected, the controller 130 may enlarge the selected user image 143 andmay instruct the display unit 120 to display the selected user image143. When a link image 145 is linked with the user image 143 displayedon the display unit 120, the controller 130 may display a link icon 147enabling selection of the link image 145 on the display unit 120. Whenthe link icon 147 is selected, the controller 130 may display the linkimage 145 linked with the user image 143 on the display unit 120. Thedisplay unit 120 may only display the link image 145 according to theuser choice. In some cases, the controller 130 may reduce the user image143 by a preset ratio and may instruct the display unit 120 to displaythe reduced user image 143 on the link image 145. The controller 130 mayalign a center of the user image 143 with that of the link image 145.The centers of the user image 143 and the link image 145 may be regionsof the images upon which the camera 110 was focused while capturing thelink image 143 and the user image 145.

Hereinafter, a method of displaying the user image 143 and the linkimage 145 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view illustrating a screen to display an imageaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the controller 130 may display the user image 143,selected by the user, on the display unit 120, as illustrated in FIG. 4.When the link image 145 is linked with the user image 143, thecontroller 130 may display the link icon 147 with the user image 143.The link image 147 may be displayed on the upper right side of the userimage 143, but exemplary embodiments of the present invention are notlimited thereto. For example, the link icon 147 may be displayed on anypart of or along the user image 143 and various types of the link icon147 may be employed.

If the link icon 147 is selected, the controller 130 may display thelink image 145 linked with the user image 143 on the display unit 120,as illustrated in FIG. 4B. If the link image 145 is then captured, thecontroller 130 may reduce a size of the displayed link image 145according to a comparison between the user focal length and thereference focal length or may reduce the size of the user image 143.

For example, when the link image 145 is captured at the minimal focallength and stored in the storage unit 140, the controller 130 may reducea size of the user image 143 by a preset ratio. The display unit 120 maydisplay the reduced user image 143 on the link image 145. The displayunit 120 may display the link image 145 in a manner distinguished fromthe user image 143. For example, the link image 145 may be displayed asmore opaque than the user image 143. The controller 130 may align thecenter of the user image 143 with the center of the link image 145 whenthe display unit 120 displays the user image 143 and the link image 145.In general, the reduced user image 143 may be displayed at any suitableregion of the link image 145.

Hereinafter, a method of reducing the user image 143 or the link image145 by a preset ratio will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5is a view illustrating the user image 143 and the link image 145 at thefocal length according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention.

In FIG. 5( a), a link image 145 of a subject is captured at the minimalfocal length. In FIG. 5( b), a user image 143 of a subject is capturedat the user focal length.

In FIG. 5( a) and FIG. 5( b), reference numeral d may refer to a size ofthe image sensor 115; X may be a distance between the image sensor 115and the subject; F′ may be a minimal focal length between the imagesensor 115 and the lens 113; and F may be a user focal length betweenthe image sensor 115 and the lens 113. The user focal length F may beselected by the user. If two lenses 113 are used, the image sensors 115may have different d sizes.

L may refer to a range of a subject included in the link image 145 basedon the minimal focal length F′. L′ may refer to a range of a subjectincluded in the user image 143 based on the user focal length F.Hereinafter, an example in which the user image 143 and the link image145 have the same resolution and the user focal length F is longer thanthe minimal focal length F′ is described.

L′ as a range of a subject captured at the user focal length F may beless than L as a range of a subject to be captured at the minimal focallength F′. Thus, the controller 130 can match the range of the userimage 143 with the range of the link image 145 by reducing a size of theuser image 143. To reduce the size of the user image 143, the controller130 may estimate a proportional value between the range L′ of a subjectof the user image 143 and the range L of a subject of the link image145. The controller 130 may calculate the range L′ of a subject of theuser image 143 and the range L of a subject of the link image 145 usingEquation 1 and Equation 2.

$\begin{matrix}{L^{\prime} = \frac{d\left( {X - F} \right)}{F}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1} \right\rbrack \\{L = \frac{d\left( {X - F^{\prime}} \right)}{F^{\prime}}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

In Equation 1 and Equation 2, d is a size of the image sensor 115, X isa distance between the image sensor 115 and a subject, F′ is a minimalfocal length between the image sensor 115 and the lens 113, and F is auser focal length between the image sensor 115 and the lens 113.

The controller 130 may calculate ranges L′ and L of the subject at therespective focal lengths from Equation 1 and Equation 2. The controller130 may then reduce the size of the user image 143 by a proportionalvalue obtained by dividing L′ by L.

If the user image 143 and the link image 145 have different resolutions,the controller 130 may obtain a value by dividing the resolution of theuser image 143 by the resolution of the link image 145. The controller130 may multiply the obtained value by a value that is obtained bydividing the range L′ of the subject of the user image 143 by the rangeL of the subject of the link image 145. The controller 130 may reducethe user image 143 using the calculated proportional value.

If the user focal length F is shorter than the minimal focal length F′,the controller 130 may calculate ranges L′ and L of a subject withrespect to respective focal lengths from Equation 1 and Equation 2. Thecontroller 130 may reduce the link image 145 by a proportional valueobtained by dividing L′ by L.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the storage unit 140 may store data generatedduring the execution of application programs and functions which arerelated to functions executed in the terminal. The storage unit 140 maystore a user image 143 and a link image 145 captured by an imagephotographing function under the control of the controller 130. Thestorage unit 140 may store a link icon 147 to select the link image 145linked with the user image 143 in the image display mode.

The input unit 150 may transmit settings of various functions input bythe user and input signals related to functional control to thecontroller 130. The input unit 150 may include a function key to selecta focal length of the camera 110 and a function key to select an imagephotographing function in a camera mode. The input unit 150 may includea function key to select the link icon 147 displayed on the user image143 in the image display mode.

A method of capturing an image and displaying the captured image in theterminal will be described with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8.FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method of processing an image according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, when a user selects a camera mode using a menu or afunction key, the controller 130 may change a mode of a mobile terminalto a camera mode and may execute functions related to the camera 110(610). The controller 130 may then display functions to be executed inthe camera mode on the display unit 120. The functions to be executed inthe camera mode may be an image capturing function, an image displayfunction, and/or an image editing function. In general, any number andtype of suitable functions may be displayed on the display unit 120 inthe camera mode.

The controller 130 may determine whether the image capturing function isselected (620). When the user selects the image capturing function tocapture a subject, the controller 130 may drive the camera 110 (630).The controller 130 may capture an image according to the user'sselection (640). Step 640 will be described in further detail withreference to FIG. 7.

If the image capturing function is not selected (620), the controller130 may determine whether the image display function is selected (650).If the user selects the image display function, the controller 130 maydisplay an image selected by the user on the display unit 120 (660).Step 660 will be described in further detail with reference to FIG. 8.

However, if the image display function is not selected (650), thecontroller 130 may execute the function selected by the user (670). Theexecutable functions may be an image processing function, such as, forexample, an image editing function, or functions for reproducing andgenerating other types of data used in, for example, a PMP and/or an MP3player.

Image capturing in step 640 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.FIG. 7 shows a flowchart illustrating image capturing according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the camera 110 is driven, the controller 130may check the reference focal length f (710). The controller 130 may setthe camera 110 according to the reference focal length f and may displaya preview image acquired at the set reference focal length f on thedisplay unit 120 (715). The reference focal length f may be set to adistance between a subject and the camera 110 and may be automaticallychecked when the camera 110 is powered on. In some cases, the referencefocal length f may be a distance between the lens 113 and the imagesensor 115 and may be set as a reference value.

Next, the controller 130 may determine whether the user focal length Fis selected (720). Determining whether the user focal length F isselected may include determining whether a zoom-in function or azoom-out function is selected through a menu or the function keys.

If the user focal length F is selected, the controller 130 may set thefocal length of the camera 110 to the selected user focal length F. Thecontroller 130 may then determine whether the capture key is selected(725). If the capture key is not selected, the controller may return tostep 729. If the user selects the capture key through the function keysor a menu, the controller 130 may determine whether the selected userfocal length F is longer than the reference focal length f (730). If theuser focal length F is shorter than the reference focal length f, thecontroller 130 may control the camera 110 to acquire the user image 143at the user focal length F (735). The controller 130 may display thecaptured user image 143 on the display unit 120 (742). Next, thecontroller 130 may set the focal length of the camera 110 to the maximalfocal length and may acquire a link image 145 at the maximal focallength (744). After acquiring the link image, the controller may proceedto step 760, as described further below.

If the user focal length F is longer than the reference focal length f,the controller 130 may control the camera 110 to acquire the user imageat the user focal length F (740). Then, the controller 130 may displaythe captured user image 143 on the display unit 120 (745). Next, thecontroller 130 may set the focal length of the camera 110 to the minimalfocal length and may acquire a link image 145 at the minimal focallength (750).

When the link image 145 is acquired, the controller 145 may determinewhether the store key is selected (760). If the store key is notselected, the controller 130 may return to step 725 and perform theabove-mentioned procedures again to acquire the user image 143 and thelink image 145. If the store key is selected through a menu or bypressing a function key, the controller 130 may store the user image 143and the link image 145 linked to the user 143 in the storage unit 140(765).

When the user focal length F is not selected (720), the controller 130may determine whether a capture key is selected (770). If the capturekey is selected, the controller 130 may control the camera 110 toacquire an image through the selected function (775). The selectablefunction may include supplementary functions selected when capturing animage, such as, for example, an automatic-shutter function, an imagequality selecting function, and a white balance selecting function. Thecontroller 130 may then store the acquired image in the storage unit 140(780).

Hereinabove, the method of capturing the user image 143 and the linkimage with a camera 110 having a single lens has been described. Amethod of capturing the user image 143 and the link image 145 with acamera having two lenses may be similar to the method of capturing theuser image 143 and the link image 145 with the camera 110 having asingle lens, except that, if the camera has two lenses, the link image145 and the user image 143 may be captured simultaneously. For example,with the camera having two lenses, the user image 143 may be acquired atthe user focal length F using a first lens 113 a and the link image 145may be acquired at the minimal focal length F′ through a second lens 113b. Thus, the controller 130 may control the camera 110 to acquire theuser image 143 and the link image 145 through the first and secondlenses 113 a and 113 b simultaneously. The display unit 120 may thendisplay the user image 143.

Next, step 660 of capturing an image will be described with reference toFIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying animage according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the image display mode is selected, thecontroller 130 may display at least one user image 143, stored in thestorage unit 140, on the display unit 120 in the form of a thumbnail(810). The user image 143 with which the link image 145 is linked may bedisplayed together with the link icon 147. The user image 143 may bedistinguished from another user image according to the user settings orthe type of terminal The user image 143 may be displayed on the linkimage 145, and/or may be overlapping at least a portion of the linkimage 145. The user image 143 may be displayed in the form of athumbnail, or, in some cases, according to user selection, may bedisplayed as a list.

Next, the controller 130 may determine whether a thumbnail is selected(815). If the user selects the thumbnail corresponding to the user image143 through a function key provided in the input unit 150, thecontroller 130 may check the user image 143 corresponding to theselected thumbnail (820). The controller 130 may determine whether alink image 145 is linked with the user image 143 by searching thestorage unit 140 (830). If a link image 145 is determined to be storedin the storage unit 140, the display unit 120 may display the checkeduser image 143 and the link icon 147 (835).

The controller 130 may determine whether the link icon 147 is selected(840). If the link icon 147 is selected, the controller 130 may displaythe link image 145 linked with the user image 143 on the display unit120 (845). In some cases, only the link image 145 may be displayed onthe display unit 120 or a size of the user image 143 or the link image145 may be reduced and then displayed. The reduced user image 143 or thereduced link image 145 may overlap, at least partially, on the displayunit 120. If the link icon 147 is not selected, the user image 143 andthe link image 145 may continue to be displayed.

If no link image 145 is linked with the user image 143 (830), thecontroller 130 may display the selected user image 143 on the displayunit 120 (850).

Hereinabove, the method of capturing two images at difference focallengths and checking two images has been described. When the user focallength set by a user is longer than the reference focal length, thecontroller 130 may control the camera 110 to capture the link image 145at the minimal focal length. However, when the focal length selected bya user is shorter than the reference focal length, the controller 130may control the camera 110 to capture the link image 145 at the maximalfocal length. In this case, the controller 130, in the image displaymode, may reduce a size of the link image 145 to be displayed with theuser image 143.

Next, another method of simultaneously capturing a link image 145 andthe user image 143, as in step 640 of FIG. 6, will be described withreference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of capturing an imageaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the camera 110 is driven, the controller 130may check the reference focal length f (910). Then, the controller 130may set the camera 110 to the checked focal length f and may instructthe display unit 120 to display a preview image acquired at the setreference focal length f (915).

The controller 130 may determine whether a link image capturing functionis selected through a menu or a function key (920). If the link imagecapturing function is selected, the controller 130 may determine whetherthe user focal length F is selected (925). The user focal length F maybe set to the checked reference focal length f, or may be changed by thezoom-in function or the zoom-out function. Although not illustrated inthe drawings, when the user focal length F is selected, the minimalfocal length or the maximal focal length may be selected by a user forthe capturing of the link image 145. For example, when the link imagecapturing function is selected, the controller 130 may display a focallength selecting window to select the user focal length F, the minimalfocal length, and the maximal focal length on the display unit 120. Thecontroller 130 may display selection bars for zooming-in/zooming-out inthe focal length selecting window according to respective focal lengths.

After selection of the user focal length F, the controller 130 maydetermine whether a capture key is selected through a capture key input(930). If the capture key is selected, the controller 130 may acquirethe user image and the link image through the camera 110 (940). Step 940will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of capturing an imagebased on a focal length according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, when a capture key is selected, the controller 130may compare a reference focal length f with a user focal length F toacquire the user image 143 and the link image 145 (1010). The link image145 may be an image captured at a selective focal length selected by thecomparison of the user focal length with the reference focal length. Forexample, if the reference focal length f is shorter than the user focallength F, the controller 130 may acquire the user image 143 at the userfocal length F (1020). The controller may display the acquired userimage 143 on the display unit 120 (1030). The controller 130 may set afocal length of the camera 110 to a minimal focal length and capture thelink image 145 at the minimal focal length (1040). Then, the controller130 returns to step 950 shown in FIG. 9.

If the reference focal length f is equal to the user focal length F, thecontroller 130 may acquire the user image 143 at the user focal length(1050). The controller 130 may display the acquired user image 143 onthe display unit 120 (1060) and return to step 950 shown in FIG. 9.

If the reference focal length f is longer than the user focal length F,the controller 130 may acquire the user image 143 at the user focallength F (1070). The controller 130 may display the acquired user image143 on the display unit 120 (1080). The controller 130 may set the focallength of the camera 110 to the maximal focal length to capture the linkimage 145 at the set maximal focal length (1090). Then, the controller130 may return to step 950 shown in FIG. 9.

In step 950 shown in FIG. 9, the controller 130 may determine whether astore key is selected by selecting a menu or inputting a confirm key(950). When the store key is selected, the controller 130 may link thelink image 145 with the user image 143 to store the images (960) in thestorage unit 140.

If the link image capturing function is not selected (920), thecontroller 130 may determine whether the capture key is selected byselecting a menu or inputting a function key (970). If the capture keyis selected, the controller 130 may acquire an image through a functionselected through the camera 110 (975). The selected function that isadditionally executed by the camera 110 may include supplementaryfunctions selected at the image photographing such as, for example, anautomatic-shutter function, an image quality selecting function, and awhite balance selecting function. The controller 130 may store theacquired image in the storage unit 140 (980).

According to the exemplary embodiments described above, a subject that auser desires to photograph, and circumstances (e.g., environment,conditions) around the subject may be captured with a terminal includinga camera. The terminal may link captured image with each other. The usermay check the captured image using an image linked with the capturedimage. By doing so, the user may remember the situation surrounding theimage at the time of capture.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of processing an image in a mobileterminal, the method comprising: acquiring a first image through a firstlens of the mobile terminal; acquiring a second image through a secondlens of the mobile terminal; displaying a third image on a display unit,wherein the third image includes one of the first image and the secondimage overlapping the other of the first image and the second image; andstoring the third image.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thedisplaying of the third image comprises displaying the first imagehaving a first display size and displaying the second image having asecond display size, the first display size being smaller than thesecond display size such that the first image overlaps the second image.3. The method of claim 2, wherein the displaying of the third imagefurther comprises changing a location of the first image with respect toits position on the second image.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein thedisplaying of the third image further comprises changing the firstdisplay size of the first image and the second display size of thesecond image such that the second image has a smaller display size thanthe first image and overlaps the first image.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the displaying of the third image comprises displaying the firstimage having a first resolution and displaying the second image having asecond resolution, the first resolution being smaller than the secondresolution, wherein the first image overlaps the second image.
 6. Amobile terminal, comprising a first capturing unit for acquiring a firstimage; a second capturing unit for acquiring a second image; a displayunit for displaying a third image, wherein the third image includes oneof the first image and the second image overlapping the other of thefirst image and the second image; a controller for receiving a capturingsignal; and a storage unit for storing at least one of the first image,the second image, and the third image upon receipt of the capturingsignal.
 7. The mobile terminal of claim 6, wherein the display unitdisplays the third image including the first image having a firstdisplay size and the second image having a second display size, thefirst display size being smaller than the second display size such thatthe first image overlaps the second image.
 8. The mobile terminal ofclaim 7, wherein the display unit displays the third image by changing alocation of the first image with respect to its position on the secondimage.
 9. The mobile terminal of claim 7, wherein the display unitdisplays the third image by changing the display size of the first imageand the display size of the second image such that the second image hasa smaller display size than the first image and overlaps the firstimage.
 10. The mobile terminal of claim 6, wherein the display unitdisplays the third image including the first image having a firstresolution and the second image having a second resolution, the firstresolution being smaller than the second resolution, wherein the firstimage overlaps the second image.
 11. A non-transitory computer-readablemedium for storing instructions thereon that, when executed, cause atleast one processor to perform: acquiring a first image through a firstlens of the mobile terminal; acquiring a second image through a secondlens of the mobile terminal; displaying a third image on a display unit,wherein the third image includes one of the first image and the secondimage overlapping the other of the first image and the second image; andstoring the third image.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumof claim 11, wherein the displaying of the third image comprisesdisplaying the first image having a first display size and displayingthe second image having a second display size, the first display sizebeing smaller than the second display size such that the first imageoverlaps the second image.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 12, wherein the displaying of the third image furthercomprises changing a location of the first image with respect to itsposition on the second image.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 12, wherein the displaying of the third image furthercomprises changing the first display size of the first image and thesecond display size of the second image such that the second image has asmaller display size than the first image and overlaps the first image.15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein thedisplaying of the third image comprises displaying the first imagehaving a first resolution and displaying the second image having asecond resolution, the first resolution being smaller than the secondresolution, wherein the first image overlaps the second image.